Multi-Purpose Detector-Based Input Feature for a Computing Device

1. A computing device comprising: a biometric sensor feature having a contact region provided on a surface of the biometric sensor feature, the contact region including a first dimension that extends along a first axis and a second dimension that extends along a second axis, the biometric sensor feature to detect one or more characteristics of a finger of a user in response to the user swiping the finger along a direction of the first axis on the contact region; a position sensor integrated with the biometric sensor to detect, on the contact region, position information of the finger or movement information of the finger along at least the direction of the first axis; a force detector to detect applied pressure on the contact region; and control logic that is coupled to or integrated with the biometric sensor feature and the position sensor to (i) use the one or more detected characteristics of the finger to approve or disapprove the user, and (ii) once the user is approved, receive input corresponding to the finger being moved on the contact region; wherein the control logic is coupled to or integrated with the force detector to receive input from the force detector corresponding to the finger being pressed against the contact region with an applied pressure of a given magnitude.

2. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the control logic is configured to unlock the device in response to approving the user, and wherein the input corresponding to the finger being moved on the contact region is used to perform one or more operations on the computing device.

3. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the control logic is configured to enable the approved user to lock the computing device.

4. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the control logic enables access to one or more protected resources that are available on or with use of the device in response to approving the user.

5. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the force detector corresponds to one or more force sensors.

6. The computing device of claim 5 , wherein the control logic is configured to (i) detect a measurement of the applied pressure detected by the one or more force sensors, and (ii) interpret an input based at least in part on the measurement of the applied pressure.

7. The computing device of claim 6 , wherein the control logic is configured to identify one of a plurality of possible locations on the contact region where the applied pressure is proximate to, and to interpret the input based at least in part on the measurement of the applied pressure by using the identified location.

8. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the force detector corresponds to one or more snap-domes.

9. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the position sensor detects, on the contact region, one or more of a range, velocity, or acceleration of a movement of the finger.

10. The computing device of claim 1 , further comprising: a feedback component that is triggerable to provide a user-detectable feedback that includes at least one of an audible or tactile sensation; and wherein the control logic is coupled to the feedback component and in response to detecting the input corresponding to the finger being moved on the contact region, triggers the feedback component to provide the feedback.

11. The computing device of claim 10 , wherein the feedback component is mechanical.

12. The computing device of claim 10 , wherein the feedback component corresponds to a device comprising one or more of (i) a piezo-electric device, (ii) a vibration motor, (iii) an artificial muscle, (iv) a solenoid, or (v) a linear actuator.

13. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the biometric sensor feature, the position sensor, and the force detector, and at least a portion of the control logic is integrated as part of an integrated input feature.

14. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the control logic is integrated or provided with a processor of the computing device.

15. The computing device of claim 1 , further comprising a processor that is configured to use the input corresponding to the finger being moved on the contact region to perform a scroll or navigate operation.

16. The computing device of claim 1 , further comprising a processor that is configured to use the input from the force detector to perform a selection operation.

17. A computing device comprising: a biometric sensor feature having a contact region provided on a surface of the biometric sensor feature, the contact region including a first dimension that extends along a first axis and a second dimension that extends along a second axis, the biometric sensor feature to detect one or more characteristics of a finger of a user in response to the user swiping the finger along a direction of the first axis on the contact region; a position sensor integrated with the biometric sensor to detect, on the contact region, position information of the finger or movement information of the finger along at least the direction of the first axis; a feedback component that is triggerable to provide a user-detectable feedback that includes at least one of an audible or tactile sensation; and control logic that is coupled to the biometric sensor feature, the position sensor, and the feedback component in order to (i) compare the one or more detected characteristics of the finger with characteristics or information stored in a memory about one or more known users in order to approve or disapprove the user, (ii) once the user is approved, receive input corresponding to the finger being moved on the contact region, and (iii) in response to receiving the input, trigger the feedback component to provide the feedback.

18. The computing device of claim 17 , further comprising: a force detector to detect applied pressure on the contact region that exceeds at least a first threshold; wherein the control logic is coupled to the force detector to receive input from the force detector corresponding to the finger being pressed against the contact region with applied pressure that exceeds the first threshold.

19. The computing device of claim 18 , wherein the force detector corresponds includes one or more force sensors.

20. The computing device of claim 18 , wherein the force detector corresponds to one or more snap-domes.

21. The computing device of claim 17 , wherein the position sensor detects, on the contact region, one or more of a range, velocity, or acceleration of movement of the finger.

22. The computing device of claim 17 , wherein the control logic is configured to enable the approved user to lock the computing device.

23. The computing device of claim 17 , wherein the biometric sensor feature includes an optical sensor.

24. The computing device of claim 18 , wherein the contact region, the biometric sensor feature, the feedback component, and the force detector are integrated as one input feature on a surface of the computing device.

25. The computing device of claim 24 , wherein at least a portion of the control logic is integrated with the input feature.

26. The computing device of claim 17 , wherein at least a portion of the control logic is integrated or provided with a processor of the computing device.

27. The computing device of claim 17 , further comprising a processor that is configured to use the input corresponding to the finger being moved on the contact region to perform a scroll or navigate operation.

28. The computing device of claim 18 , further comprising a processor that is configured to use the input from the force detector to perform a selection operation.

29. A computing device comprising: a biometric sensor feature that is integrated with a designated region of the computing device and to detect one or more characteristics of a finger of a user in response to the user swiping the finger along a direction on the designated region, the designated region being contact sensitive and operable to detect position information about the finger along a direction of at least a first axis; a force detector to detect applied pressure on one or more areas of the designated region; and control logic that is coupled to the designated region to receive input from the designated region corresponding to the finger being moved along the direction of at least the first axis of the designated region, the control logic being coupled to or integrated with the biometric sensor feature to use the one or more detected characteristics of the finger to approve or disapprove a user; wherein the control logic is coupled to the force detector to receive input from the force detector corresponding to the finger being pressed against the designated region.

30. The computing device of claim 29 , wherein the control logic is configured to (i) detect a measurement of the applied pressure detected by the force detector, and (ii) interpret an input based at least in part on the measurement of the applied pressure.

31. The computing device of claim 29 , wherein the control logic is configured to identify one of a plurality of possible locations in the designated region where the applied pressure is proximate to, and to interpret the input based at least in part on a measurement of the applied pressure by using the identified location.

32. An input feature for a computing device, the input feature comprising: a stack assembly provided with a designated region on a surface of the computing device, the stack assembly comprising (i) a biometric position information sensor to detect position information and biometric characteristics of a user's finger in response to the user swiping the finger along a direction on the designated region, and (ii) one or more force detectors to measure or detect an applied pressure of the finger at one or more locations of the designated region, the one or more force detectors being positioned underneath the biometric position information sensor; and control logic that is coupled to the stack assembly, the control logic to use the biometric characteristics of the finger to unlock the computing device in order to enable the user to operate the computing device, wherein the control logic performs one or more operations based on the detected position and the detected pressure.

33. The input feature of claim 32 , further comprising a feedback mechanism that provides one of an audible or tactile feedback to the user, wherein the feedback mechanism is positioned underneath the biometric position information sensor relative to the surface of the computing device.

34. The input feature of claim 32 , wherein the one or more force detectors are positioned underneath the biometric position information sensor relative to the surface of the computing device.

35. The input feature of claim 32 , wherein the feedback mechanism is a clicker.

36. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein one or more characteristics of the biometric sensor is configurable by the user.

37. The computing device of claim 17 , wherein one or more characteristics of the biometric sensor is configurable by the user.

38. The computing device of claim 29 , wherein one or more characteristics of the biometric sensor is configurable by the user.